Hawaii Luxury Homes > About the Big Island
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Choosing where to look for Real Estate on the Big Island can involve many considerations such as weather, proximity to services, near ocean or upcountry, and price to name a few. Broken down by district, we provide through the links on this page a range of information to assist you in your consideration of where to buy your piece of paradise. As always, if we may be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Below is an overview of the Big Island's districts and their average home, land and condominium prices.
The Big Island has a Population of 148,677 according to the 2000 census.
West Hawaii
South
Kohala - (population 13,131)
This district
is home to many of the large resorts on the Island. Dry and
sunny near the coast, green and temperate at the elevations,
it is also a choice location for golf, retirement, resort
condominiums, and vacation retreats. Fine white sand beaches
are your neighbors. Waimea and Waikoloa Village are the major
communities here, as well as the lovely oceanfront community
of Puako.
Waimea's burgeoning population is diverse and strong. Farmers and ranchers are joined by educators from schools, employees of a string of world class hotels and golf courses, astronomers and technicians from two major telescope facilities, clergy from a number of religious groups and health professionals from the North Hawaii Community Hospital, known for its excellence and its openness to complementary health practices, the Lucy Henriques Medical Center and a variety of dental and doctors' offices. The town hosts Realtors, contractors, architects, bankers and entrepreneurs. Kahilu Theater anchors a cultural center of artisans and craftsmen.
Today Waimea has three shopping centers, many fine dining establishments, public schools, and two prestigious private schools, the renowned Hawaii Preparatory Academy and the Parker School. Parker Ranch, through the foundation of its late owner, Richard Smart, continues to shape the face and the future of Waimea through bequests to health, education and cultural facilities, as well as the influence of its own large business holdings and a community trust.
Puako is a beachside community that winds along the shores of Puako Bay. Luxury homes and quaint cottages line the “makai” (oceanside) and “mauka” (mountain) side of the Puako Beach Drive. There is a small condominium complex at the entrance to the community. Here the weather is warm and typically tropical. It offers the convenience to the Resorts and their world class beaches and golf courses. A small convenience store offers a wide variety of groceries and also serves as a place of community and interchange.
Waikoloa Village is a community built six miles above the resorts and is a growing home community with a diverse mix of people. It has an excellent grocery store, a number of medical offices, a Robert Trent Jones golf course, and several restaurants. It’s proximity to the resorts and the beaches make it a popular place for residential living.
Real estate price ranges:
Residential – from lows around $170K to highs
of $4M
Land – from lows of $50K to highs of around $12M for
large tract developer parcels
Condominiums – from lows around $84K in Waikoloa Village
to highs near $3M in the resorts
North
Kohala - (population 6,038)
Rural in nature, sprawling ranches and upscale developments
co-exist with small farms and older plantation-style homes.
The district predominantly covers the northern ‘thumb’
of the Big Island and is home to the birthplace of King Kamehameha
and rich in Hawaiian history and untouched natural land formations,
such as the spectacular Pololu Valley.
North Kohala’s charming towns, or villages, are Hawi, Kapaau and the harbor town of Kawaihae. They all have good shopping and restaurants, with many small art galleries as well. Schools are located in Hawi and Kapaau.
Real estate price ranges:
Residential – from lows around $165K to highs
of $2M+ in the upscale developments
Land – from lows of $90K to highs of $9M for large tract
oceanfront
There are no condominium complexes in North Kohala
North
Kona - (population 28,543)
This is the most populated district in West Hawaii, stretching
from the tourist orientated town of Kailua-Kona, south to
the resort community of Keauhou with properties of every description.
Jobs, schools, restaurants, shopping and an array of entertainment
are within a short drive. Holualoa, a beautiful little artists'
colony, overlooks Kailua Bay at the cool elevation of 1200
ft.
This is the area for the large and small retail outlets of the West side of the Island, with Costco, Home Depot, Loew’s Home Improvement (still under construction), cinemas, furniture outlets and many more located in one of two major industrial areas. There are public and private schools and the Kona Community Hospital. The Kona area is a major tourist stop for both driving as well as a port of call for cruise ships.
Real estate price ranges:
Residential – from lows around $245K to highs of $10M
Land – from lows of $140K to highs of around $11M for
large tract parcels
Condominiums – from lows around $60K in town to highs
around $7M in the resorts
South
Kona - (population 8,589)
Lush and beautiful, South Kona has managed to retain its rural
feel, despite the increase in population and conveniences.
This is Kona coffee country, and the area is rich with small
coffee farms, as well as macnut and flower farms, interspersed
with small communities.
The largest of these are Kealakekua and Captain Cook. Schools
and shopping are found in these communities. There is a hospital
here, too. The district runs south to the forest preserve.
This area is also rich in cultural history, home to Honaunau,
the famous ‘City of Refuge’ and Kealakekua Bay,
the landing site of Captain Cook, the discover of the Sandwich
Islands, as they used to be known.
Real estate price ranges:
Residential – from lows around $225K to highs of $2.4M
Land – from lows of $7K to highs of around $1M, with
one ranch $10M
Condominiums – very limited, from $70K to $150K when
available
East Hawaii
Hamakua
- (population 6,108)
Clean, green and refreshing, the Hamakua Coast receives cooling
trade winds and ample rainfall to sustain agriculture in abundance.
Small farms and homes on large lush lots are available. The
Hilo-Hamakua coast is former sugar cane plantation lands now
planted with trees and dotted with small farms of ginger,
papayas, awa and many other flowers and foods. The Hamakua
Coast is a stunningly beautiful place whose history and leisurely
way of life are treasures its communities want to preserve.
One visit and you'll understand why.
The towns and communities along the Hamakua coast are steeped
in rich cultural history and traditions. Honoka'a is the largest
community in this district, with shopping and schools. It
is the gateway to the incredible Waipio Valley. Generations
of many cultural backgrounds makes the Hamakua Coastline a
true "melting pot" of Hawai'i's people.
Real estate price ranges:
Residential – from lows around $115K to highs of $1.3M
Land – from lows of $95K to highs of around $1.4M+ for
large tract parcels
Condominiums – no condominium complexes
Hilo
Area
This is the lushest side of the Island. Farming
and flowers are a large part of the economy. The County seat
is in Hilo and the County is a major employer with the demise
of sugar and the large scale back in the agribusinesses of
the area, such as Macadamia nuts.
Hilo is the largest community on the Island, and has the largest
deep water port which supports shipping, stops by cruise ships,
and commercial and pleasure fishing. There is a rich history
in Hilo of a wide diversity of cultures. The University of
Hawaii – Hilo is world renowned for its astronomy and
marine biology programs and Hilo is home to many of the scientists
and astronomers who work the observatories on Mauna Kea. Schools,
restaurants, shopping and entertainment make Hilo a great
place to call home. The Hilo hospital serves the area.
North Hilo runs from the Hamakua district to Hilo town, and
then becomes the South Hilo district which runs south from
Hilo to the Puna district.
North Hilo (population 1,720)
Real estate price ranges:
Residential – from lows around $175K to highs
of $1M
Land – from lows of $140K to highs of around $250K,
with a few higher priced estates
Condominiums – no condominium complexes
South Hilo (population 47,386)
Real estate price ranges:
Residential – from lows around $65K to highs
of $600K, with a few higher priced parcels
Land – from lows of $31K to highs of around $450K, with
a dozen or so over $550K
Condominiums – from lows around $14K to highs around
$190K
Puna
- (population 31,335)
The Puna area has long been considered one
of the best values in land in the state. It is still largely
rural although it has doubled in population since the last
census. Land and home prices are generally lower than in most
of the state, and will no doubt rise as more commerce moves
into the towns of Pahoa, Kea'au, and Kurtistown. Many area
residents commute to Hilo yet opt to live here in the more
affordable outlying towns of Hilo.
Schools are in the all of the communities mentioned above
and small local style restaurants provide the fare for dining
out. Puna is an area that offers many the ‘off the grid’
living they seek.
Real estate price ranges:
Residential – from lows around $29K to highs
of $765K, with a handful over $800K
Land – from lows of $3K to highs of around $99K, with
a few up to $525K+
Condominiums – no condominium complexes
Ka'u
- (population 5,827)
Ka’u is the largest and least populated
district on the Island. In the northeast corner, Volcanoes
National Park and the adjacent small village of Volcano exist
side by side at roughly 5,000 feet. Flowers and farming are
part of the economy here, though the tourism drawn to the
Kilauea volcano, now in its 20th year of continuous eruptions
is the prime economic engine.
At the southwest corner, the Discovery Harbor and Ocean View
(billed as the world’s largest subdivision) communities
were created for people who are looking for affordable year
round living and vacation getaways in Paradise. While slim
on a variety of services, there are several local restaurants
that serve the community and visitors. Here is South Point,
the southern most tip of the United States.
Real estate price ranges:
Residential – from lows around $47K to highs of $765K,
with a few up to $500K+
Land – from lows of $3K to highs of around $99K, with
a few large parcels up to $5M
Condominiums – the only condo project is mostly time
share. Very few otherwise.